Sport in Milton Keynes

Sport in Milton Keynes covers a range of professional and amateur sport in the City of Milton Keynes unitary authority area. In 2019, Milton Keynes was officially designated as a European City of Sport for 2020.[1] There are professional teams in football (MK Dons), in motorsport (Red Bull Racing) and in ice hockey (MK Lightning). The National Badminton Centre, and the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club train professional and amateur athletes. Most other sports feature at amateur level although there are semi-professional teams in rugby union and football among other sports. There is an international-standard karting track owned by Daytona Motorsport.

Archery

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There are archery clubs in Newport Pagnell and Shenley/Loughton.[2]

Armwrestling

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Milton Keynes Armwrestling club has produced some of the best in the country: in 2011 it came away from the British championships with 1st place left&right 110 kg+ class, 1st place left&right 75 kg class and 2nd place left&right in the 80 kg class.[citation needed]

Athletics

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Marshall Milton Keynes AC is one of England's leading Athletic clubs.[3] Their members include Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European Champion, Greg Rutherford, and Olympians Craig Pickering and Mervyn Luckwell

Running

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The "Milton Keynes Festival of RunningW is held in March every year,[4] attract thousands of runners onto the streets of Milton Keynes. The Milton Keynes Marathon is held annually, as are a number of other running events throughout the year, such as the South of England Road Relays, the Wolverton 5 and the Milton Keynes 10k race, organised by Marshall Milton Keynes AC. Events such as The Color Run or the Race for Life are also held frequently.

Badminton

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With the National Badminton Centre located in Loughton just across the A5 from Central Milton Keynes, badminton is an important sport locally. A number of clubs are based at the centre, and there are also open sessions during the week. Badminton clubs also meet at other centres such as Stantonbury and Shenley.

Baseball

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Founded in 1986, Milton Keynes Baseball Club (Milton Keynes Bucks) is one of the oldest baseball club in the UK. Single-A National champions in 2010 and Triple-A Midlands Division champions in 2013. In 2022, the club is fielding 3 teams in the BBF (British Baseball Federation) Triple-A league and in the East of England Baseball League Double-A and Single-A divisions. Their ballpark is located in Woughton on the Green.

Basketball

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The Milton Keynes Lions played in MK from 1998 to 2012 before moving to London. They resided at the MK Lions Arena for their final three years in Buckinghamshire.

Milton Keynes originally hosted basketball during the early years of the National League, they took over the successful Embassy All-Stars franchise during the 1976–77 National Basketball League season. The team finished National runners-up in both league and cup competitions before disbanding after the 1978–79 season.[5]

Milton Keynes hosted basketball again between 1998 and 2012 before the MK Lions were forced to re-locate after the closure of Prestige Homes Arena and no suitable alternative for hosting professional games in the city was found. In addition to the Lions British Basketball League team, the franchise established a ladies team, youth teams at all age groups and the Milton Keynes College Lions basketball academy.

In 2022, Milton Keynes Breakers joined the National Basketball League.

Bowls

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There are a number of lawn bowls clubs in the Borough. These include Bletchley BC, Newport Pagnell Lawn Bowls, Olney BC, Bradwell BC, Stony Stratford BC and Wolverton Park BC.

Established in 1889,[citation needed] Wolverton Park Bowls Club is the oldest Bowls Club in Buckinghamshire.[citation needed]


Cricket

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Cycling

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Team Milton Keynes and North Bucks Road Club are the leading clubs for racing cyclists, with Team MK also incorporating Triathlon and Duathlon as well as Mountain Biking. Milton Keynes Cycling Association also holds circuit racing at the Bowl.

In September 2008 Milton Keynes played host to the Race Headquarters for The Tour of Britain in the buildup to the race. Stage Two of the race began in front of Milton Keynes Central railway station, before heading to Newbury.[10]

Fencing

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Milton Keynes Fencing Club meet regularly in Oakgrove School and is one of the oldest sports teams in Milton Keynes having been founded in 1978 and has actively competed for much of that time in the Three Counties Fencing League which covers Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire. Whilst all three weapons are welcome, the main focus is on épée and sabre.[11]

Fishing

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Fishing is a popular sport: with its miles of river and canal bank and its balancing lakes, Milton Keynes is a favoured location for anglers.

Floorball

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The local floorball club has currently several teams, including a national side under the name MK Phantoms, women's teams and a junior side.

Football

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League

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The only Football League team based in Milton Keynes is Milton Keynes Dons F.C. The team is based at Stadium MK in Denbigh and, as of 2023, plays in League Two.

Non-League

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Notable active non-league clubs

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The better known non-League clubs in the Borough include:

The North Bucks & District Football League and Sunday league football attract many smaller teams, which are too numerous to list individually.

Under 7's to under 18's play in the Milton Keynes and District Development League.

Notable former non-League clubs

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Six a side football

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Milton Keynes is also home to many five and six-a-side football leagues.

Golf

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There are courses at Abbey Hill (Two Mile Ash), West Bletchley and Wavendon. Just outside the city, there are courses in Aspley Guise, Soulbury and Woburn.

Handball

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MK Olycats were a handball team founded by Great Britain men's national handball team player and Olympian Bobby White. The club plays in the Midlands Regional Development League, one division below the top tier, the Super 8.[17] The club has now moved to Stoke-Mandeville under the name Bucks Bullets.

Hockey

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There are many all-weather pitches throughout Milton Keynes – most of which are within school grounds, including the two pitches at Stantonbury. There are also two water based pitches at Woughton on the Green, which is the home ground of Milton Keynes Men's and Women's Hockey club. Teams from Milton Keynes Hockey Club compete at many levels in leagues covering the South East of England.

Ice hockey

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Milton Keynes ice hockey clubs Thunder and Lightning (2008 image) have played at Planet Ice Milton Keynes since their foundations in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

The town has two semi-professional ice hockey teams, these being Milton Keynes Lightning (founded in 2002) of the EPL and Milton Keynes Thunder (founded in 2001) of the ENL. Both teams play at the 2,500 capacity Planet Ice Arena which is situated close to Milton Keynes Central railway station. The town also used to be home to professional team Milton Keynes Kings from 1990 to 1996 and 1998–2002 who played at the same arena, although during 1990–1996 it was known as the bladerunner arena. There are also a number of junior, ladies and recreational adult teams who also play at the arena.

Korfball

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Milton Keynes Bucks founded in 2004, and Milton Keynes Lakers, founded in 2012 as merger of several local clubs, are the two significant korfball teams in the area.[18]

Martial arts

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This popular family of sports/traditional arts has clubs[19] in each of the six major disciplines (aikido, jujutsu, judo, karate, taekwondo and tai chi).

Milton Keynes is the home to the central region of Minakami Bushido Karate Dojo,[20] which practices Shotokan Karate. The club has classes aimed at 4-7yr olds known as the Tiny Tigers, then main classes which students of any age can attended, meaning children and adults train together. There are lessons most days at various leisure centres across Milton Keynes, including Shenley and Stantonbury leisure centres. Lessons and gradings are structured around Khion, Kata, Kumite, weapons training and conditioning to improve strength, control, fitness and co-ordination.

Motorsport

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Formula 1

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F1 team Red Bull Racing have their HQ in MK.

Most notably, the Red Bull Racing Formula One team is based here, in Tilbrook. Prodrive, one of the world's largest motorsport and automotive technology specialists, have a division in Milton Keynes.[citation needed] Previous notable though defunct teams included Arrows, Brabham, Stewart Grand Prix and Jaguar F1.

Karting

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Daytona Motorsport opened a karting venue in Milton Keynes in 1996.[21] The venue has three circuits, ranging from a 1,360 metres (4,460 ft)-long international circuit to a 375 metres (1,230 ft) north circuit.[22]

Motorcycle Speedway

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Until the late 1990s, MK had a speedway team, the Milton Keynes Knights. Speedway was staged at Milton Keynes at two venues, Milton Keynes Greyhound Stadium at Ashland and then Elfield Park beside the National Bowl. However, both sites have closed: the former is now a housing district and the latter is a brownfield site with plans announced by the leaseholders of National Bowl to redevelop it (which, as of September 2019 have yet to materialise). In 2012, The Knights were revived, competing in the Midland Development League.[citation needed] The revived team has not competed in Milton Keynes: home matches are staged at the Rye House Stadium in Hoddesdon.[citation needed]

Parkour

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Milton Keynes boasts a growing Parkour or freerunning movement.[citation needed] Due to its urban landscape, the Central Milton Keynes area is an ideal area for parkour activity.[citation needed]

Pool

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There are five long established leagues which cover the borough: Bletchley Friendly, Milton Keynes Clubs, Milton Keynes Sunday, Milton Keynes Tuesday and Newport Pagnell. Two current Interleague teams exist, Milton Keynes 'A' and MK Shooters (Formerly Milton Keynes 'B'), which have dominated the Buckinghamshire Interleague since its reformation in 2003. Milton Keynes has also provided the backbone of the Buckinghamshire County squad since the early 1990s due to the town being the long time base of the Buckinghamshire County Pool Association, although BCPA currently play from and are based in Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire.

Rowing

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Milton Keynes Rowing Club operates out of Caldecotte Lake.

The club was founded in 1995 and hosted the inaugural annual Milton Keynes Regatta on 22 May 2010.

Rugby League

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Milton Keynes Wolves RLFC was a short-lived rugby league team established in 2012, playing in the East Men's League.

Rugby Union

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Local teams

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The major Borough clubs are Bletchley RUFC, Milton Keynes RUFC and Olney RFC.

Bletchley Rugby Club, who play at Manor Fields, routinely put out three Senior XVs, a ladies side and a Vets side. The 1st XV play in South West 1 East (level 6) and the 2nd XVs in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon 2 North table. The 3rd XV and Vets side play ad hoc friendly local fixtures.

Bletchley Ladies is a developing team which is intending to enter the RFUW leagues in the 2011 season.

In addition to the 120+ adult section, the club has a Youth (U7s to U17s) set-up with over 200 members. In the 2005/06 season the club's U17 squad were Buckinghamshire County Cup champions, and finalists in the South West Division Bowl.

The playing activities at Bletchley are supported by a large number of volunteers, including the 50+ vice-presidents of whom many are ex-players. Bletchley celebrated its 60th anniversary during the 2007/08 season.

In 2003 Bletchley RUFC were the first sports organisation in Milton Keynes/North Bucks to gain the Rugby Football Union 'Seal of Approval' and Sport England Clubmark.[citation needed] In 2006 the club gained Stage 2 accreditation from the same bodies.[citation needed]

Milton Keynes RUFC began as Wolverton RUFC but changed its name in 1973,[23] based in Greenleys. In April 2011, the club transferred to a new ground in Emerson Valley.[24] The move was opposed by the local community,[25] but planning permission was granted on 6 September 2007.[26]

In March 2006, Milton Keynes RUFC won the Bucks Plate against Slough RUFC who are in the league above. Milton Keynes went on to finish as runners up in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier League and were promoted to Southern Counties North. The club has over 400 members including a mini and junior section with players between the ages of 6 and 18.

Olney has for many years been a rugby town with its rugby team dating back from 1877, called Olney Rugby Football Club, which has four regular senior teams. They also cater for Colts rugby, women's rugby and mini rugby. The club holds many social events for the town, one of these being a Rugby 7's tournament, with competitors coming from all over the country. Olney's Rugby is of a high standard in amateur rugby, winning the Lewis Shield in 2007, the Southern Counties North League in 2008 and the Bucks County Cup in 2010.[27] Olney 1st XV play in the South West 1 East (level 6) league.

Olney Women's team compete in the RFUW National Championship.

Other teams

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Despite having no Premiership teams, Milton Keynes has previously hosted home games for Northampton Saints and Saracens F.C. at Stadium MK.

Premiership

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Saracens F.C. were the first club to host a rugby match at Stadium MK when Bristol visited on 10 May 2008, providing a grand stage for Rugby World Cup 2003 winner Richard Hill's 288th and last appearance for the men in black. A last-minute try from Kameli Ratuvou ensured Hill's 15-year club career finished on a winning note.[28]

The Heineken Cup

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On 24 January 2011, the Northampton Saints Rugby union club announced that their 2010–11 Heineken Cup quarter final match against Ulster Rugby would take place at Stadium MK, because their Franklin's Gardens ground is too small to meet the minimum 15,000 seats demanded by the organisers.[29]

The Saints had previously indicated that they might play future major games at Stadium MK as their proposal to expand Franklin's Gardens using an enabling (ASDA supermarket) development has encountered planning difficulties.[30]

Accordingly, their quarter-final match was played at the stadium on Sunday 10 April 2011 in front of 21,309 supporters, who witnessed the Saints (the 'home' side for the day) beat Ulster 23–13.[31] This secured for the Saints a place in the semi-final of the Heineken Cup where they went on to beat USA Perpignan, again at the Stadium MK.[32]

On 21 January 2012, Northampton Saints played their final 2011–12 Heineken Cup pool match at Stadium MK against Munster Rugby. Saints were defeated 36–51 but the game set a new stadium record attendance of 22,220.[33]

Rugby World Cup 2015

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On 8 October 2012, the organisers of the 2015 Rugby World Cup announced that the Stadium was one of seventeen to be short-listed for detailed appraisal, leading to the final choice of twelve stadiums to be announced in March 2013[34] It was announced as a venue for the 2015 Rugby World Cup on 2 May, and with the venue capacity to expand to 32,000, it hosted 3 fixtures.

Pool D 1 October 2015 France   41–18   Canada
Pool B 3 October 2015 Samoa   5–26   Japan
Pool A 6 October 2015 Fiji   47–15   Uruguay

Skiing, Snowboarding & Tobogganing

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Xscape Milton Keynes seen from across Secklow Gate

Milton Keynes is home to the Xscape indoor ski slope, which means it has snowmaking facilities and is therefore not a dry ski slope.

Sky diving

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The Airkix indoor sky diving facility is located at Xscape.

Swimming

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There are a number of pools in the Borough, with a competition pool at Stantonbury. The performance swimming club is City of Milton Keynes SC.

Table tennis

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Table Tennis is thriving in Milton Keynes, which has one of the largest leagues in the UK. With a league that currently boasts over 60 teams and a state of the art, purpose-built Table Tennis Centre in Kingston, which many England ranked players like to call their home venue, the scene is well served.

Other club venues in the league include Greenleys, Newport Pagnell, Woburn Sands, Stony Stratford and the Open University, amongst others.

Volleyball

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  • MK City VC is a volleyball club formed in 2006 from the ashes of corporate team Abbey VC. It plays out of Oakgrove Leisure Centre.In its first season the men's team completed a league double taking by the Herts and Northants crowns.
  • MKVC is a volleyball club which field men's and women's teams in the Herts and Northants league as well as a men's team in the National Division 3.

Wrestling

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Total Action Wrestling (TAW) in a Pro-Wrestling promotion based in Wolverton. Notable guest trainers include Doug Williams, Alex Shane, Kenny Omega, Davey Richards and British wrestling legend Johnny Kincaid. The school was originally in Bletchley Leisure centre until the final session in December 2009. The promotion runs events in Milton Keynes, Luton, Dunstable, Hitchin and other towns in the region. The training school moved to Atlas Fitness in Wolverton in January 2010.

References

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  1. ^ "Milton Keynes wins European City of Sport title". BBC News. 18 July 2019.
  2. ^ Welcome to SALT, Archery in Milton Keynes
  3. ^ http://www.mkac.org.uk/
  4. ^ Milton Keynes Festival of Running
  5. ^ Matthews/Morrison, Peter/Ian (1987). The Guinness Encyclopaedia of Sports Records and Results. Guinness Superlatives. ISBN 0-85112-492-5.
  6. ^ Milton Keynes City Cricket Club website
  7. ^ Bletchley Town CC – Home
  8. ^ Stony Stratford CC Play Cricket Page
  9. ^ Shenley Church End Cricket Club – website
  10. ^ "Goss Heads Antipodean Charge to Claim Second Stage". British Cycling. 8 September 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008.
  11. ^ Milton Keynes Fencing Club – website
  12. ^ http://www.intheteam.com/nbstpfc [dead link]
  13. ^ Newport Pagnell Town F.C.
  14. ^ BLETCHLEY L M S at the Football Club History Database
  15. ^ BLETCHLEY B B O B at the Football Club History Database
  16. ^ BLETCHLEY UNITED at the Football Club History Database
  17. ^ Crook, James (24 June 2013). "GB handball captain White to lead new side formed in Milton Keynes". Inside the Games.
  18. ^ Stockley, Hannah (26 July 2021). "EK Affiliated Clubs and Areas 2020-21 (as of 26.07.21)". England Korfball.
  19. ^ Milton Keynes Martial Arts Home Page
  20. ^ http://mbkd.net/
  21. ^ "Daytona Motorsport History". Daytona Motorsport. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  22. ^ "Daytona Milton Keynes – Outdoor Karting Centre". Daytona Motorsport. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  23. ^ Bucks role for rugby president Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine – Milton Keynes Citizen, 20 July 2011
  24. ^ City say goodbye to Greenleys – Milton Keynes Citizen, 20 March 2011
  25. ^ 07/01000/MKCOD3 CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNITY SPORTS FACILITY INCLUDING PAVILLION, GROUND RE-LEVELLING AND DRAINAGE TO CREATE 4 PITCHES (RUGBY, BASEBALL/SOFTBALL), THREE 15 METRE HIGH FLOODLIGHTS AND 110 PARKING BAYS[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ Minutes of the meeting of the Development Control Committee, MK Council Archived 8 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ Olney Rugby Football Club home page
  28. ^ "Official RWC 2015 Site – Milton Keynes ready for international action". Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  29. ^ Northampton forced to move Ulster tie to Milton Keynes – BBC Sport
  30. ^ Northampton Saints chief considering Stadium MK move BBC Sport 27 August 2010
  31. ^ "Northampton 23–13 Ulster". BBC News.
  32. ^ Heineken Cup semi-final: Northampton Saints 23–7 Perpignan Northampton's Jim Mallinder wants more after reaching Heineken Cup final – The Guardian, Sunday 1 May 2011
  33. ^ "Northampton Saints 36 – 51 Munster Rugby". European Rugby Cup. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  34. ^ Stadium mk in the running to host World Cup rugby matches in 2015 Archived 14 October 2012 at the Wayback MachineMilton Keynes Citizen, 8 October 2012
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